nk from her mother, and then first remembered
that she was speaking to a surgeon's wife. She tried to explain away
what she had said; but there was no need. Hester calmly remarked that
it was the duty of many to expose themselves at such times in an equal
degree with the medical men; and that she believed that few were more
secure than those who did so without selfish thoughts and ignorant
panic. Sophia believed that every one did not think so. Some of Mr
Walcot's friends had been remonstrating with him about going so much
among the poor sick people, just at this time; and Mr Walcot had been
consulting her as to whether his duty to his parents did not require
that he should have some regard to his own safety. He had not known
what to do about going to a house in Turnstile-lane, where some people
were ill.

A dead silence followed this explanation. Mrs Grey broke it by asking
Margaret if she might speak plainly to her--the common preface to a
lecture. As usual, Margaret replied, "Oh! certainly."

"I would only just hint, my dear, that it would be as well if you did
not open the door yourself. You cannot think how strangely it looks:
and some very unpleasant remarks might be made upon it. It is of no
consequence such a thing happening when Sophia and I come to your door.
I would not have you think we regard it for ourselves in the least--the
not being properly shown in by a servant."

"Oh! not in the least," protested Sophia.

"But you know it might have been the Levitts. I suppose it would have
been just the same if the Levitts had called?"

"It certainly would."

"It might have been the Levitts certainly," observed Hester: "but I must
just explain that it was to oblige me that Margaret went to the door."

"Then, my dear, I hope you will point out some other way in which
Margaret may oblige you; for really you have no idea how oddly it looks
for young ladies to answer knocks at the door. It is not proper
self-respect, proper regard to appearance. And was it to oblige you
that Margaret carried a basket all through Deerbrook on Wednesday, with
the small end of a carrot peeping out from under the lid? Fie, my
dears! I must say fie! It grieves me to find fault with you: but
really this is folly. It is really neglecting appearances too far."

Mr Hope did not return in time to see Mrs Grey. When she could wait
no longer, Hester promised to send her husband to solve Mrs Grey's
difficulties.

"What wo